Regression hypnosis, brain washing, impostors, soul switching, murder, psychopathology, and rabbits. Director Sho KATAOKA (who is also the writer, cinematographer, and editor) covers a lot of ground here and does so in grand suspenseful style with a psychological thriller that keeps viewers close to the proverbial edge of their seats! The plot is packed with twists and turns that are reminiscent of a high stakes ping pong match. As seen through the eyes of a family's oldest daughter (who increasingly feels something is not quite right with her family), she escaped serious injury in a brutal car crash five years ago that left her mother in a permanent coma, her younger sister disfigured (she always wears a white ceramic full-facial mask), and a her doctor father (a skilled hypnotist) with a nerve-damaged leg (who likes to keep rabbits - lots of rabbits!). There are many surprises in this film especially towards the end. The ending, however, is overly long and barely escapes degenerating into a slasher movie fantasy. Interior photography is often a bit on the dark side. Music is suitably "spooky." Subtitles seem close enough. And the rabbits are cute (as is their nature). Highly recommended. Viewed at a JICC Virtual J-Film event. WILLIAM FLANIGAN.
Review of The Good Father
